In the rolling hills of Kadugannawa, where mist settles gently over the railway tracks and history whispers through the ancient roads, stands a church whose story is deeply intertwined with both struggle and resilience—the Christian Reformed Church of Kadugannawa. Its roots trace back to Balana, a place where the original work of the church flourished under the guidance of the Wellawatte Leadership Council.
At Balana, the ministry had once thrived. An orphanage named Shanthi Lama Nikethanaya gave shelter and love to children without families. The chapel resounded with worship on Sundays, while the weekdays saw children from nearby villages attending extra classes, finding both education and encouragement in its humble walls. The ministry was vibrant, yet not without opposition. Objections from villagers, coupled with resistance from temples and political leaders, eventually forced the congregation to withdraw from this historic location. It was a painful chapter, as the once-bustling work seemed to end abruptly.
The turning point came in 2017. What had begun years earlier in Balana as a small educational service for children—just four or five students—had grown into a group of more than a hundred. That year, a Christmas service and Vacation Bible School were celebrated joyfully with the children, marking a milestone in the ministry. But it was also the spark that ignited conflict. The opposition intensified, and by the end of that year, the Balana congregation was scattered.
Yet God was not done with His work. Among those who had been traveling from Kadugannawa to attend services in Balana were a few faithful members who refused to let the flame of faith be extinguished. They opened their own homes, offering space for services and children’s classes. It was a simple, makeshift arrangement, but it carried within it the spirit of the early church—gathering wherever believers were willing.
Soon, as the numbers began to grow again, a more permanent solution was sought. A rented building in Kadugannawa became the new gathering place, and from there, the congregation found fresh life. Through the leadership of Pastor Andrew Wickramasinghe and the tireless commitment of volunteer worker Vijith Jayapala, weekly services and a children’s club were established. Slowly, what had once been scattered was gathered again, and the ministry took root in Kadugannawa.
Today, the Christian Reformed Church of Kadugannawa stands not merely as a remnant of Balana’s legacy but as a testament to God’s faithfulness in the face of adversity. It is a church born out of trials, sustained by the prayers and sacrifices of its people, and renewed by the vision of leaders who refused to give up. Each Sunday service, each child’s laughter in the weekly club, carries with it echoes of the past and the promise of the future.
The story of Kadugannawa is a reminder that while places may change, and obstacles may rise, the church is never bound by walls alone. It lives on in the faith of its people—resilient, steadfast, and ever reaching forward.
